US2591654A - Panel joint support - Google Patents

Description

P 1952 A. e. DEAN PANEL JOINT SUPPORT Filed June 23, 1948 INVENTOR. Qlberk (I. Dean.

A TTOR/VEY Patented Apr. 1, 1952 PANEL JOINT SUPPORT;

Albert G. Dean, Narberth, Pa., assignor to The Budd Company, Philadelphia, Pa., acorporation .of-Pennsylva-nia Application June 23, 1948, Serial No. 34,771

2 Claims. l

This invention relatesto panel joints and'supports, particularly to joints for-floors and the'like which are subject to heavy loadings, andhas for anobject the provision ofimprovements inthis art.

The construction is especially suitable for=railway car use and is illustrated in this connection but this isnot to be considered as a limitation since it is obviously adapted as well for aircraft, buses and other vehicles as well as for fixed buildmgs.

One of the particular objects of the invention is to provide a panel joint which furnishes full beam strength across the joint whereby all sagging near the joint is avoided.

Another object is to provide a panel joint which is suitable for use on frame members hav ing narrow supporting surfaces.

Another object is to provide a panel joint which can be readily installed on frame members of standard size and spacing, there being provided an auxiliary frame member which can be attached to a standard frame member at any place where a joint is desired.

And another object is to provide a joint and support construction which can be readily and economically installed.

The above and other objects and the advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of an illustrative embodiment, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective plan and section of a rail car floor embodying the invention; and

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section on a larger scale of the regions surrounded by dotand-dash lines 2 of Fig. 1.

The panels ID are supported on frame members I I which, for the sake of lightness, have only narrow panel-supporting flanges l2. The cross members Il may be integral with floor pans l3 which are supported by a center sill l4 and side rails [5 which are tied in with the side wall of the car (not shown).

Metal runners l6 and I8 may be welded to the top flanges l2, the runners I8 and side supports of suitable type (not shown) being adapted to support the bases of seats which are secured'in the car. The base flanges lfia of the runners l8 and the base flanges |6a of the runners I'B support the side edges of the panels I0.

The panels In may be formed of plywood and may be separated from the flanges I2 by a cloth or cork tape I9 to minimize wear and noise. The panels may be secured to the flanges by rivets 20' which are providedv with enlarged heads and sunken washers. togi-ve large area'of securement, and their; lower. ends are headed beneath the metal flanges I2; A rivet' known commercially as-the Cherry rivet may be: used. Or; if'desired, a tapped; or self-tapping screw 2| may be used. This likewisemayhave, a large washer bearingand has the advantage. that it mayreadily be turned to take upfor shrinkage of the floor.

At the joint, which is made to be located at one side of a cross member II and of an auxiliary member 24 thereon, a splice batten 22 is provided. This is attached beneath one panel 10, as by screws 23, before the panel is put down. Preferably glue is used on the lapped surfaces. After being put on, the other end of the batten 22 is secured to the projecting end of the adjacent panel 10, as by suitable screws 2|. In the preferred form shown, an auxiliary angle member 24 is welded to the straight side of the cross member H with its flange 25 in position to support the batten 22. The screw 2| in this case is tapped into the flange 25 or some part carried by it. Self-tapping screws have been found satisfactory here. While at the joint no fastener is shown in the flange 12 because the one in the flange 25 is usually adequate, one may be provided if desired.

The joint between the ends of the panels ID may be filled by plastic putty or other suitable material to provide a smooth uninterrupted surface.

It is apparent that the supplemental angle 24 with its flange 25 may be readily installed at desired joint locations. The cross members H of the previously formed assembly may be made of standard size, spacing and shape without regard I to special formations at joint locations. It is also apparent that the batten 22 gives the joint full beam strength and when its end is supported by the flange 25, the batten provides greater than beam strength at the joint. Therefore, all sagging under load is avoided. It is also apparent that this joint and its support may be very rapidly made and require no fitting or special skill for installation.

While one embodiment of the invention has been described specifically, it is to be understood that there may be various other embodiments within the range of the invention.

What is claimed is:

I. A panel joint support, comprising in combination, spaced transverse frame members having bearing surfaces adapted to support panels thereon, panels supported on said bearing surfaces of the frame members, an auxiliary frame member secured to the side of one of said transverse frame members where a point is to be made in said panels, said auxiliary frame member having a bearing surface disposed below the level of the bearing surface of the transverse frame member to which it is secured, a panel joint splice batten having one end supported on the bearing surface of the auxiliary frame member and having its upper surface engaging the under surface of two adjacent panels and underlying the joint space between the ends of the panels, the joint space being located at one side of said transverse frame member and its auxiliary frame member, means securing the panel ends at the joint to said joint splice batten, and means securing the panels to the frame members.

2. A panel joint support, comprising in combination, spaced transverse frame members having bearing surfaces adapted to support panels thereon, panels supported on said bearing surfaces of the frame members, an auxiliary frame member secured to the side of one of said transverse frame members where a joint is to be made in said panels, said auxiliary frame member having a bearing surface disposed below the level of the bearing surface of the transverse frame member to which it is secured, a panel joint splice batten having one end supported on the bearing surface of the auxiliary frame member 7 and having its upper surface engaging the under surface of two adjacent panels and underlying the joint space between the ends of the panels, the joint space being located at one side of said transverse frame member and its auxiliary frame member, means securing the panel ends at the joint to said joint splice batten, and means securing the panels to the frame members, said last-mentioned securing means at the joint location serving also to secure the batten to the panel and to secure both the panel and batten to the auxiliary frame member.

ALBERT G. DEAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 867,330 Young Oct. 1, 1907 1,603,366 Upson Oct. 19, 1926 1,679,914 Murray Aug. 7, 1928 1,681,286 Fasshauer Aug. 21," 1928 1,697,800 Treiber Jan. 1, 1929 1,855,082 Young Apr. 19, 1932 1,972,570 Moore Sept. 4, 1934 1,988,314 Higley Jan. 15, 1935

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